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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-31-2013 09:01 PM

chall03

Re: Start Up Planning and Advice

Firstly welcome,

You will find plenty of discussion here on what makes a boat suitable for various kinds of cruising.

If you are truly looking for a boat capable of crossing the Atlantic then you may be best to start with this thread below. It is a list of 'bluewater capable' boats. I don't believe it is conclusive or the last word on boats capable of doing what your taking about but it may give you a good basis from which to start.

All great suggestions. Please take some ASA courses (101-103) to get started. You'll catch on quick. Go to the big shows; after a while you start to see what you like and the drivability. Meaning, how easy certain winches come to hand (placement), lay out of deck, anchor lockers, lay out below (galley, saloon). Many other factors.

I'd say most sailboats can sail around the world. Its a matter if you and the boat will make it back in one piece.

Good thing is; you guys are taking your time before investing. You'll have a good idea after a couple of years.

Also, get a small trailer sailor to mess around during your free time. That will definitely help to hone your skills. Something under 18 feet i think would be good. Less hassle to get out on the water with and cheaper to maintain.

The evolution of sailboats in the last 5 years seems to be getting quicker and quicker as they improve production techniques. Keep your eyes open.
Hunter just brought a new 40 footer; it took 5 months from start to finish. Amazing. I don't like it, but, it makes it easy for them to make corrections and make what the market wants.

I think there are some nice hunter/catalina/beneteau models that are ocean worthy. Just keep reading on sail net!

Glad to see that you're planning some charters. I think that after just a few days on one, you'll start to have ideas of what you do and don't like. A few more charters and maybe going on friends' boats and you'll have a much better idea. That's what we did -- and some things we thought we liked when we saw boats at shows, we decided we didn't when we were actually living with them.

One suggestion is to charter as different boats as possible -- maybe a Hunter one time and an Island Packet another (just an example of two really different boats). Go for one that's 36 feet and another that's 40+. And so on. On your charters, sail as much as you can, but also do your own docking whenever the charter company will let you (even though you've got lots of powerboat experience, sailboats handle VERY different from powerboats and even from one to another).

And above all, have fun!

03-31-2013 04:36 PM

chuck53

Re: Start Up Planning and Advice

I know this will come across as blasphemous on a sailing forum, but for me, if I was planning on the type of travel the OP is talking about, I'd get a 45-50 foot Nordhaven or similar long range cruiser. But that's just me.

03-31-2013 04:22 PM

bljones

Re: Start Up Planning and Advice

Welcome to sailnet and welcome to sailing.
Good advice given on chartering. Try it before you buy it. Also get some time on OPB (Other People's Boats) in your own marina/harbour. Many sailors are happy to talk for hours about their boats and are always looking for new crew for daysailing. The more time you get onboard a sailboat, the more likely you are to find that your vision of the ideal boat will change.
Good plan to "ditch the dirt."

We are already working to schedule two different week training/charter events. When we decide to do something, we do it like snails....very slow and very thorough. We have lived on a boat in short stints and will live full time once our two kids graduate high school. We have decided on Galveston in Texas as they seem to be very friendly to live aboards. My territory includes TX as well so I will not even have to change careers. We want to do this right which is why we are starting and planning now. At the EARLIEST we will be selling out 340 and looking to move to a sailboat is 2018. I know it may seem 'early' to try and start looking, but we really want to do our research and know what we are getting into. ..... THAT said, does anyone know anythign at Catana Cats? I found this one and the layout looks nice. We could add a washer dryer I am sure, but any thoughts? I have read they are good for blue water sailing? yes, no, maybe?

I agree with Benesailor - you're in for a big change. I strongly suggest doing a charter for a week on a 30'er to see if you like sailing. My parents had power boats when I was a kid, and sailing is a whole different game. If you like it, great! But I'd hate to see you plunk down a nice chunk of change on something only to realize that it isn't for you.

My wife and I will be purchasing our first sailboat within the next five years....
I need some direction in understanding what boats (with practice) would eventually allow us to sail from the US to Bermuda, Brazil, and eventually Europe. What length of boat should we look at? What is to short or to long for cross Atlantic travel?....

I have seen something about 'Class A' boats, but I cannot find a true listing of them....

We really like this boat. It seams laid out well and seems to have what we are looking for. Any help please? Websites we should look at?

There are others far more qualified than I who will chime in, as I am still in the process of researching my first sailboat. FWIW, from what I've been able to learn to date, it looks as if that Hunter 460 you've linked to is a very comfortable and well-equipped coastal cruiser that is also Bahamas and perhaps Gulf/Caribbean (near-offshore) capable.

Some of those very comforts (large openings for light an ventilation, open interior, sugar scoop stern, dinghy on davits, etc.) might present problems in an Atlantic crossing, however. Sailing near the coast, and even shooting from Florida over to the Bahamas, etc., involves making relatively short hops that enable you to pick favorable weather windows to sail, and also to wait out bad weather in safe anchorages as is needed. Crossing the open ocean (at 7-8 knots) means that the boat and crew should be capable of handling and surviving any storm or rogue wave that might occur out there - beyond the scope of the latest weather report in port, and days away from any potential rescue. I'd imagine that if you are lucky with the weather and seas the Hunter 460 could get you over to the Med, but if you are not so lucky, you are literally risking the lives of captain and crew.

So, are you feeling lucky? Regardless, it's a beautiful boat, and I wish you the best in your cruising ventures to come.

As a minor side note - with a 5.5 foot wing keel draft you may be restricted somewhat in sailing in shallower waters such as in much of the Bahamas, the Keys, the Chesapeake, etc.